Since February 2026, short-term tourists can no longer sit the JLPT inside Japan — you now need a valid residence card to register. Here's who's affected, why it changed, and how to register for the December 2026 test.
Japan Work Visa Japanese Requirement 2026: JLPT N2 Now Mandatory for Expats
Japan made JLPT N2 mandatory for Engineer/Humanities work visa holders from April 2026 — affecting 475,000+ foreign residents. Who is affected, what exemptions exist, and what every expat must do now.